Dream Forum 025

Spotify and Apple podcast available “Dream Forum“

Welcome to Dream Forum Issue Number 25

In the last two Issues of Dream Forum:

We Identified the first two types of prophetic dreams by our participation in the dream, and determined that they were all about the dreamer. There were also further distinctions that identified which of the two types they were.

You can read Issue 23 and 24 for the details about these two types of dreams.

Today we will cover the third type of prophetic dream the External Prophetic Dream.

• How do we identify this type of Dream?

• Do we have to be called as a prophet to have this type of dream?

• If we have this type of dream, are we called to be a prophet?

Paul outlines prophesy, and being a prophet in the Epistles.

• Paul states in the book of Ephesians that, Jesus assigns believers to the position of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers and Pastors according to Ephesians chapter 4.

Ephesians 4:9-12 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

• However, he also explains that all should desire to prophesy in first Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

The conclusion is that everyone has the capacity as a believer to prophesy. Just like being born again, you must believe first.

• Since I have External Prophetic Dreams and the Lord has not told me that I am called to be a Prophet, as far as I know, my conclusion is that we can all have External Prophetic Dreams, even if only as a means of prophesy.

Of the 3 types of prophetic dreams, this type can be distinguished by your lack of participation in the dream. According to Colette Toach in “The way of Dreams and Visions” this third type of dream is primarily for those called to a prophetic ministry.

Before you discount this option for one of your dreams because you know or feel that you are not called to this office, consider a few things.

1. Though it may be accurate as a “primary” calling. Consider that primary does not mean all. Primary may be the first in order, but that implies there are secondary and possibly other levels.

2. Holy Spirit decides who gets what gift, in First Corinthians chapter 12. And I would say He decides who gets to taste and see.

After Paul lists all of the gifts that are distributed throughout the body of Christ he ends with Verse 11 in Chapter 12 of First Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

So if you have a dream where clearly you are observing, you are not seen or included in things that are going on around you, “it is” an External Prophetic Dream”.

External Prophetic Dreams are future oriented.

• The symbols are not necessarily who or what they are in real life, they are symbolic. i.e. Joe is not Joe, but a certain aspect or trait of Joe, or his name definition takes significance. (Joe means God will increase, or add.)

• When Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of a statue in Daniel chapter 2, the dream was not talking about a real statue, but kingdoms that would rise and fall in the future.

• If you dream of your pastor (and you are an observer in the dream, not a participant), he could represent the church, tradition, the status quo, or many other things depending on the characteristics of the pastors leadership, or lack of leadership; his vision or lack of vision, or other traits. It could also be about your pastors future in some way.

In Summary

External Prophetic Dreams

• Are Future oriented.

• You are not a participant.

• The Symbols are many times unknown and biblically oriented.

Examples:

• Trees are people, as depicted in the Bible. (Luke 3:9)

• People can be angels.

• Water can be Holy Spirit or the flow of the Spirit, or an outpouring of Holy Spirit (i.e. Waterfall or downpour)

• Death can be death to self, or the end of a season, situation or circumstance.

The possibilities are numerous!

There is not much more to say on this subject. However, it does open up a lot of questions. Maybe examples that you are wondering about. Ask your questions below.